Pan and jar lifter.



0. w. CROPLEY.

1,215,253. Patented Feb. 6,1917.

f I I v I WM ATTORNEY OSCAR W. CROPLEY, OF JUNIATA, NEBRASKA.

PAN AND JAR LIFTER.

Specification of Iie'tters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6,1917.

Application filed January 13, 1916. Serial No. 71,951. v,

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that L'OsoAR W. CnorLnY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Juniata, in the county ofAdams and State for engaging a ar.

Another object. of the invention is to so construct the holder that itmay be formed almost entirely of resilient wire, a strip of sheet metalbeing provided for use in holding the jar.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device that thetwo jaws will not readily get out of shape.

Another object of the invention'is to provide a lifter. of the characterdescribed which will be strong and durable and also to so construct itthat it will be inexpensive to make thus permitting it to be placed uponthe market at a relatively small cost;

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereinFigure 1 is a topplan view showing-the device used for engaging a jar. I

Fig. 2 is a view showingthe manner in which the device may be used forengaging a pan.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a different method of employing the device inconned tion with a pan. v

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of proved holder.

The outer jaw 10 is formed from a single strand of resilient wire whichis bent and doubled intermediate its length to provide the handle 11 andthen twisted as shown at 12 to strengthen the handle and prevent thestrands forming the side bars of thefhandle from spreading apart. Afterbeing twisted, the end portions of the wire are then bent to provide therectangular outer jaw 10 and the extreme end portions of the wire areextended in overlapping relation as shown at 13 and terminate in hooks1 1. The strip 15 the im- 7 which is preferably formed of flexible sheetmetal but which may be formed of any suitable material has one endportion bent around the overlapping end portions 13 of the wire formingthe outer j aw thus serving to connect the end portions of the wire. Itshould be noted that-the side bars of the rectangular outer jaw 10 arebent as shown at 16 to provide additional resiliency and strength forthe outer aw and further that the extreme end portion of handle 11 isbent upwardly as shown at 17 to provide a hand grip by means of whichthe device can be easily held when applied as shown in Fig. 2. The innerjaw 18 which is substantially U-shaped as shownin Fig. 1 fits within theouter jaw and is formed from a single strand of resilient wire benttoprovide the handle 19 having its free end portion or bridge bent toform the hooks 20 for engaging the flange 21 of the pan 22 when theholder is used as shown in Fig. 2. The side arms of handle 19 are bentaround the outer jaw as shown in Fig.4 thus providing bearings 2-3pivotally connecting the inner aw with the outer jaw. The ends of thewire forming the inner jaw are twisted as shown at 2 1 and extend toprovide the relatively short finger or spur 25 and the relatively longcurved finger 26. This spur or finger 25 serves to engage the wall ofthe pan 22 when the device is used as shown in Fig. 3 and also serves toreleasably connect the inner jaw with the free end portion of thegripping strip 15 by passing through one of the openings 27 formed inthe free end portion of this strip. Therefore this flexible strip 15 canbe tightly secured about a jar or pan 28 when it is desired to lift ortightly hold the ar. TV hen this device is in use it may be used eitheras shown in Figs. 1, 2 or 3. When used for engaging a jar the flexiblestrip 15 is passed around the jar and the spur 25 is passed through oneof the openings 27. The handles 11 and 19 can then be grasped and movedtogether to Close the jaws of the device and ti-ghtenthe strip aroundthe jar. The jar will then be tightly held so that a cover can be easilyremoved or tightly put in place. .Of course, this can also be used if itis desired'to remove a pan or a jar from a-pan of hot water or to removethe jar or a pan from an oven.

If this device is used as shown in Fig. 2, the flange 21 of the pan willbe engaged upon opposite sides of the pan by means of hooks 14 and 20.The handle 11 will then be grasped at the hand hold 17 and the pan canbe easily lifted.

When used in the manner shown in Fig. 2, the device can be used forlifting either deep pans as shown or for lifting shallow pans such aspie pans. This device can also be used as shown in Fig. 3 for lifting adeep pan. \Vhen used as shown in this figure, the wall of the pan willbe grasped by thetwo jaws 10- and 18, the jaw 18 engaging the inner faceof the wall 22 and the jaw 10 engaging the outer face of the wall. Itshould be noted that when used in this manner, the bent portion 16 ofthe jaw' 10 serves to provide space for the flange 21 as well as servingto give additional resiliency to the aw. It should be further noted thatthe spur 25 engages the inner face of the pan wall and therefore a verytight gr p can be obtained. The curved finger 26 is provided so that thestrip 15 when placed about a jar will not be bent at right angles andtherefore there will be no danger of this strip becoming broken bycracking due to bending and then straightening the strip. Y

I have therefore provided a kitchen im plement orgrapple as it might betermed which can be used either for removing shallowcor deep .pansfroman oven or which can be used for holding a cylindrical object suchas a can or fruit jar. It should be further noted that if desired tovclean a lamp chimney orother object of a similar construction, thecleaning cloth can be engaged by the two jaws and the device thenthrusted into the lamp chimney carrying the cloth with it.' The chimneycan then be cleaned on the inside and the holder and cloth removed.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for \Vhat is claimed is 2- 1. Animplement of the 7 character described comprising pivotally connectedmembers, each having a handle and a jaw, one of said jaws being providedwith side bars having their end portions extended in overlappingrelation and terminating in engaging hooks, a flexible strip having oneend portion secured about the overlapped end portionsof the side bars ofsaid jaw, the other of said jaws being provided with side bars havingtheir end portions connected and extending to provide a spur and aguiding finger, the free end portion of said strip being provided withopenings to receive said spur, and the handle of said last mentioned jawbeing provided with a hook cooperating with the hooks of said firstmentioned jaw.

2. An implement of the character described comprising pivotallyconnected members, each having a handle and a jaw,

' one of said jaws being provided with side bars having their endportions terminating in engaging hooks, a flexible strip having one endportion secured between the hooks of said jaw, the other of said jawsbeing provided with side bars having their end portions terminating in aspur and a guiding finger, the free end portion of said strip beingprovided with openings to receive said spur and the handle of said lastmentioned jaw being provided with a hook cooperating with the hooks ofthe first mentioned jaw.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

OSCAR W. CROPLEY.

V lVitnesses JOHN GRorLnY, V HARRY CRoPLnY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,I). G.

